Which Club Should Wales World Cup Hero Gareth Bale Sign For This Summer?

No player has done more for the Welsh national team than Gareth Bale. That was already clear before Wales’ World Cup play-off final win over Ukraine, but is now even clearer after the 32-year-old sent his country to international soccer’s biggest tournament for the first time since 1958 with a winning goal from a deflected freekick.

At club level, though, it’s not known what the rest of 2022 will hold for Bale who will leave Real Madrid after nine years at the Spanish club this summer. The winger is about to become a free agent and has a decision to make – which club will prepare him best for Wales’ 2022 World Cup campaign later this year?

Tottenham Hotspur have been mentioned as potential suitors for Bale who spent the 2020/21 season on loan at the North London club. However, Spurs have already signed one veteran winger in Ivan Perisic this summer and it’s uncertain whether Bale has the work rate and defensive fibre to satisfy Antonio Conte.

A move to Manchester United appeared to be on the cards for Bale for a number of years, but the Old Trafford club are unlikely to make a move at this stage of the winger’s career. New manager Erik Ten Hag needs young and hungry players to get his rebuild project off the ground. At 32, Bale doesn’t fit that bill. Plus, he would be expensive, even as a free agent.

Recent reports claim Cardiff City are preparing an audacious offer to sign Bale as well as Wales international teammate Aaron Ramsey who is also expected to be on the move this summer. Bale was born in Cardiff, but has never played for a Welsh club. After nearly a decade abroad, a return home could appeal, although a drop down to the Championship might not be to Bale’s liking. The level might be beneath him.

Looking outside the English league system, a number of MLS clubs have reportedly lined up to make their case to Bale. The 2022 MLS season continues over the summer months and so Bale could hit the ground running should he join an American or Canadian club this summer. In terms of game time, this might be where Bale could prepare best for the World Cup.

Bale has been linked with Inter in the past, but there has been no suggestion of an impending switch to the San Siro this summer. Nonetheless, Serie A could be a good destination for Bale and Roma could be persuaded to make an offer for the 32-year-old with Jose Mourinho keen to take the club forward. He needs a replacement for Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Bale’s future has been the subject of intense speculation for a number of months with Real Madrid becoming something of a personal torture chamber, but he has now reached a juncture in his career. The 2022 World Cup is his guiding light. Now, he must choose the right club to illuminate the path to Qatar.